Former ambassador: ‘Nigeria is a sovereign country’

Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell said Sunday it was Nigeria that was standing in the way of further U.S. involvement in that country.

Some critics have called for U.S. military assets to be deployed to help find and rescue 276 Nigerian girls kidnapped by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram in April.

But Campbell, speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” said that it was Nigeria and the Nigerian government that needed to ask for additional American help before such a step could be considered by the U.S. and the world community.

“For the U.S. to do anything requires the request and acquiescence” of Nigeria, Campbell said. “Nigeria is a sovereign country.”

According to Campbell, Nigeria has long played a major role as a big African power, and it was not used to being in a situation where it needed outside international help.

“Nigeria traditionally views itself as the giant of Africa, as indeed it is in terms of population,” Campbell said.

“It is a proud country,” he added, and one that has a long history of involvement in African conflict resolution.

“Nigerians look to help, not be helped,” he said.

U.S. military and law enforcement personnel have been dispatched to Nigeria to assist the government in the hostage situation — but the U.S. government has ruled out armed military involvement.